The Opals are preparing for a physical war against Serbia on Sunday in a replay of their controversial World Cup qualifying loss to the Europeans in February.
The Australians suffered a 78-71 loss to the Serbians in a match marred by an incident involving Opals forward Steph Talbot, who was ejected from the game in the second quarter after she was hit with a flagrant foul.
Seven months on, Australia and Serbia will battle again, this time in a crucial World Cup game that will determine final Group B standings.
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The Opals are focused on building momentum after a dominant win over Mali, but former Opals captain Jenna O’Hea hasn’t forgotten about Talbot’s contentious ejection against the Serbians.
“It was soft – that won’t happen on home soil,” O’Hea said on ESPN.
“Steph will be fine.”
Opals legend Jenni Screen believes Australia’s greatest player Lauren Jackson will serve as the ultimate bodyguard for Talbot or any player should Serbia turn up the heat physically.
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“And Lauren will be supporting her from behind,” Screen said.
“If anyone is getting pushed around from the Opals, you know Lauren will be the first one, if she is on the court, to back up her sisters.”
The Opals have experienced heartbreak against Serbia in recent times.
The toughest pill to swallow was Australia’s shock 73-71 loss to the Serbians in the quarter-finals at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
The defeat ended the Opals hopes of winning a medal for the sixth consecutive Olympics.
Screen is expecting another torrid affair when Australia plays Serbia on Sunday from 6pm (AEST).
“It’s going to be physical; it’s going to be a battle and a grind for 40 minutes,” she said.
“We ain’t knocking this one out of the park in the first quarter.
“Serbia is here to play. They want an upset; they want to finish in the top two and so do we.
“France may be the kick up the backside that we needed in that first game.
“You never want to lose, but I think it may have sent us on the trajectory that we need.”
Opals guard Sami Whitcomb is anticipating a significant step up in intensity against Serbia.
“Mali was a massive win, and it was so good for our group to execute and get good shots, but we understand that the level of pressure and skill against Serbia is going to be different,” Whitcomb said.
“We’ll prepare for that, and we know it is coming.”
Sydney
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